Although originally Sky came on the scene as a broadcaster, providing just five channels to our televisions, over the past few years the name and the brand have expanded into all kinds of other territories, from phone and broadband right through to Sky Bingo, the corporation’s online bingo website. Having undergone such a rapid growth, the history of Sky’s expansion is certainly worth exploring.
A barely recognisable Sky originated in 1990 when two struggling companies, Sky Television plc and British Satellite Broadcasting, merged together in order to overcome financial difficulties. Sky Television’s popular channels were maintained, combined with the major advertising contracts and better equipment already in British Satellite Broadcasting’s hands.
The transition to digital television came eight years later in 1998, giving us the basis for the Sky we know today as well as the potential to carry hundreds of different channels and radio stations. By this point Sky had over fifteen different channels, a vast increase on its original five, but with digital capability came the probability of adding many more. In 2001, Sky signed its 5 millionth subscriber and launched the innovative Sky+, giving customers the ability to record live television and play it back at a later date.
In 2003, Sky subscribers reached a massive 7.5 million. In 2005, Sky launched Sky by Broadband, a service available to its existing sport and movie subscribers that allowed them to download clips via the internet. Just a year later, Sky launched its own broadband service. Sky by Broadband was updated and rebranded Sky Anytime. Sky+ in HD became available the same year due to the availability of high definition technology.
Sky has continued to expand ever since, with the promise to bring 3D television to our homes by April 2010. Other services provided by Sky include the Sky Magazine, with supplements Sky Kids, Sky Movies and Sky Sports, online audio streaming and digital audio store Sky Songs, and of course Sky Bingo.
Sky Bingo is a division of Sky Betting and Gaming, along with Sky Bet, Sky Vegas and Sky Poker. Sky Bingo is the company’s latest venture, not only offered online but also via interactive television. Sky’s slogan “Believe in Better” is echoed in Sky Bingo’s “Believe in Better Bingo.” Throughout the history of Sky, the company has continued to make informed choices about its mode of expansion, and the foray into online bingo could not have come at a better time, whilst the game continues to increase in popularity and is fast becoming an affordable, convenient and even stylish hobby.
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